Topic: Sergei Markov

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Putin inauguration: World view of a Russian feeling dissed

As the second presidential inauguration of Vladimir Putin approaches, a former correspondent who once worked for him looks at the world view of the Russian iron man. His theory: The president is feeling dissed by the West and believes it conspires to "destroy" Russia.
Russia threatens to take aim at NATO's missile defense shield

At a conference in Moscow convened to discuss the NATO missile defense shield, a fierce point of contention between the US and Russia, efforts to find a compromise reached a dead end.
Brief Russia-West détente on Syria conflict comes to an end (+video)

Russia rejected an invitation to Paris to discuss next steps for Syria, saying that world leaders seemed more intent on helping the rebels than on brokering peace.
Russia exasperated with US over missile defense

A top Russian defense official today signaled growing frustration with the US, which has refused to provide legal guarantees that a planned missile-defense shield is not directed at Moscow.
Russia sees 'no reason' to halt weapon support for Syria

A Russian official said today that his country will fulfill several existing arms deals with Syria in the latest indication that Russian opposition to foreign intervention is growing.
Russian opposition to intervention in Syria shows no sign of abating

Russian opposition is not just about its interests in Syria – increasingly it is based on skepticism about Western democracy promotion in the Middle East.
Russia worried about a nuclear Iran, but leery of US sanctions

Russia is wary of any international action similar to the UN resolution on Libya, which parlayed a mandate to protect civilians into a drive for regime change.
Can Vladimir Putin win back Russian voters?

Vladimir Putin's United Russia Party lost seats in Sunday's parliamentary election. As Russian discontent grows, can Putin regain lost ground in his presidential election bid?
Vladimir Putin's 'managed democracy' faces key test in Russia

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has trumpeted a system of 'managed democracy' that has virtually guaranteed his party's grip on Russian politics – until now.
Russia faces another six – or 12 – years of Putin at the helm

Former President Vladimir Putin, who announced yesterday that he will run again next year, is likely to win. But falling oil prices may create social discontent – and push him to make political reforms.
Afghanistan looms large at SCO security group meeting

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization's (SCO) meeting in Kazakhstan focused on how Central Asia could be affected by the possible spread of the Arab Spring – as well as failure to stabilize Afghanistan.
Why Russia's Medvedev and Putin remain coy about presidential aims

Some analysts say a declaration by either President Medvedev or Prime Minister Putin could upend Russian politics well ahead of next year's presidential vote.
Russian tycoon Khodorkovsky sentenced again, supporters cry foul

Mikail Khodorkovsky, once Russia's wealthiest man, was sentenced anew for corruption in what his supporters claim was a politically motivated trial.
Putin praises DiCaprio as 'real man' after harrowing journey to tiger summit

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio narrowly escaped two plane crashes en route to a five-day tiger summit hosted by Putin, who is no stranger to derring-do himself.
Mayor Luzhkov ouster: sign of crack in Putin-Medvedev unity?

Russian President Medvedev's scorching dismissal of Moscow Mayor Luzhkov could be opening shot in a bureaucratic battle between Putin and Medevev over who will be the establishment candidate for president.
The power politics behind effort to save Moscow's Khimki forest

A protest to stop road-building in the formerly protected Khimki forest near Moscow is gaining traction. Russian analysts say there's more to it than simple environmental concerns.
Global News Blog
Viktor Bout, weapons dealer, to be extradited to US from Thailand

Viktor Bout, the famed weapons dealer, can be extradited to the US, a Thai court ruled today. The so-called 'Merchant of Death' is accused of supplying dictators and warlords with weapons.
In ruling on artistic expression, some Russians see signs of broader crackdown

A Moscow court's ruling that curbs artistic expression, as well as fresh legislation to strengthen the KGB's successor and limit rights of public assembly, appear to some Russians to presage a broader crackdown.
Moscow turns ownership of public monasteries over to Orthodox Church

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has ordered the handover of about 20 Moscow-area monasteries to the Russian Orthodox Church, returning properties seized during the Bolshevik Revolution almost a century ago.
Polish president plane crash tests Polish, Russian leaders

Polish leaders appear to be quickly picking up the pieces after the tragic Polish president plane crash, which also killed much of Poland's political elite.
Chechen warlord Doku Umarov claims Moscow metro bombings

Chechen warlord Doku Umarov claimed responsibility for the Moscow metro bombings that killed 39 people earlier this week and threatened more attacks. Is Umarov leading a Chechen version of Hamas?
Terrorism & Security
Russian invasion hoax has Georgia opposition in uproar

A fake TV report in Georgia that claimed a Russian invasion was in progress and that President Mikhael Saakashvili had been killed has drawn fury from citizens and the political opposition.
The Kremlin banished Khodorkovsky. Why a new trial?

In Russia, public support is waning for the Kremlin’s aggressive pursuit of the former oil tycoon, who was shipped off to Siberia in 2005 after crossing swords with Putin.
Global News Blog
Extradite Viktor Bout? Russia counters US pressure.

On Thursday, a Thai prosecutor said Thailand would resist US pressure to extradite Viktor Bout to the US. In August, a Thai court dropped all criminal charges against Bout, widely suspected of being a key player in the shadowy arms-smuggling world.
Global News Blog
Secret Israeli deal to stop Russian S-300 missile sale to Iran?

Why have there been two, secret high-level meetings between Russian and Israeli leaders? Russia may be getting Israel's help with Georgia in exchange for halting missile sales to Iran.